Authorities in Austria arrested two men on Wednesday (August 7) accused of planning terror attacks targeting Taylor Swift‘s upcoming concerts in Vienna.
Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl held a press conference announcing that the terror plot had been foiled. They said that the two men, who were not identified, became radicalized online. One of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, pledged allegiance to the leader of ISIS in July.
When the teen was taken into custody, the bomb squad found chemical substances. Investigators are working to determine if those chemicals could have been used to construct an explosive device.
Ruf said that the teenage terror suspect had detailed plans focusing on Swift’s concerts, which begin on Thursday at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. She will perform on Friday and Saturday as well.
While officials initially said the shows would go on as scheduled, Barracuda Music announced in an Instagram post that all three shows have been cancelled.
“Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Vienna Shows Cancelled Due to Government Officials Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.
